Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Thanks to everyone for commenting. Of course, "best of's" or "favorite" lists are bound to spark some controversy, but we've all fallen victim to those search terms when seeking out a a meal.

@jimmyjojo - you are welcome. I too don't find Father's Office a revelation as many others have, but more than that I find my colleague Nick summed it up best in his review of the place. It doesn't really qualify as a burger for this kind of a list.

@ChefJeffSD - Certainly Apple Pan is a classic eatery, but it's just not the kind of quality to warrant a mention here in the top five.

@Paula Maack - So glad that you enjoyed the list. Comme Ça is certainly a treat. Make sure your visit is a lunchtime one. Last I checked there's no burger available at dinner.

@simonmarkley - I understand your sentiment, but see above for my take on it.

@WikiAdam - You did recant, but you shouldn't have. I'd certainly hold these five up to FO and Applepan any day. No need to apologize for being passionate about burgers. I certainly am.

@Nebagakid - You are not alone in your love of Umami. I'm not on the bandwagon with it being the definitive new Los Angeles burger, but it's certainly part of the conversation about the best.

@sinosoul - Well, first off. So sorry to have lost you. A few quick things about your comment:

Comme Ça uses iceberg on its burger and while I don't find that it enhances it (I prefer mine sans lettuce) certainly that isn't a limp weed. Also - I think you put some stock in Jonathan Gold, his opinion, and a mention he made of you... I think he might agree with me on this one.

Umami is certainly full of schtick, but the grind is superior and I simply disagree about the meat to bun ratio.

As for my taste for Pie N Burger and what it has to say of my travels and where I get "grilled" burgers... Two things about that: First off, Pie N Burger is griddled so it would never be classified as a "real grilled burger."

Secondly, I have indeed made it south of 105... I reviewed a burger in Redondo Beach just a couple of weeks ago. It was really good, and like Mom's in Compton, is south of the 105. Another thing a burger in Redondo has in common with burger Compton? Neither is actually in Los Angeles so they wouldn't qualify for this list.

As for the other three you mentioned. All are good, but, would occupy the bottom half of my top ten. Again, sorry to have lost you.

@iheartcheese - Thanks for having my back. I appreciate it to be sure. That said, I know I am tapped to have an opinion and that means folks are gonna get riled up when they disagree. I guess I would say: I see my role here as not simply some arbiter, but rather, someone with a practiced and thought through method for forming his opinion and (hopefully) the skills to communicate it in a way that entertains and helps folks determine if they'd like to try a particular burger.

@mangabanga - Thanks so much for the support. I know not everyone will agree with me, but I did labor over my determinations.

That is cruelty! Would you want to be fried only to be left a to a slow hellish death? Come on people! No compassion! Grr! Makes me angry!

They're the Ugly Betty of veggies: not too enticing at first, but sexy and dynamic when you get to know them.

I've started slicing them and throwing them into my stir fries and warm salads. I'd also like to work them into an hors d'oeuvres, maybe roasted then skewered with fried chorizo and/or cheese.

I blanch them while frying up the bacon. Half them and chop/crumble the bacon. finish cooking them in the bacon fat and deglase with balsemic vinager. top with bacon and serve hot. There are people who come to my Thanksgiving dinner just for the sprouts! LOL

The roast beef at Manny's Deli in Chicago. I get it extra rare on an onion roll that is SOAKED in roast beef juice. The potato pancake and pickle on the side aren't too shabby either.

The best whale you get in Iceland is sold in the supermarket. It's marinated and thinly sliced and you pop it on the grill for like 2 minutes each side and you've got yourself a nice meal. Tastes like beef but with more complex flavour, like Robyn noted before, a little gamey. Also, try whale carpaccio, it's brilliant if it's done just right.

The roast pork, greens and sharp provolone sandwich from DiNics in the reading terminal market in Philly... pure bliss!

@arwenb yay! another potbelly lover!

It's hard to beat the offerings at Sandwhich in Chapel Hill, NC. They make the best tuna salad I've ever tried, a bacon-apple-mushroom grilled cheese, and an incredible "Paratha" with chickpeas, fennel, eggplant, and a handful of Indian spices. I just moved from Chapel Hill and I'm having serious withdrawals!

My favorite sprout recipe is from Joy of Cooking. Halve the sprouts. Over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet, place sprouts cut side down in the butter, place lid on skillet, turn heat to medium low and leave covered for 15-20 minutes. Check with fork for tenderness. Toss with sea salt and black pepper. Fresh parmesan is optional, but delicious!

I had amazing brussels sprouts over the weekend at a tapas place called The Vanderbilt in Brooklyn. The menu said it had sriracha, lime, and honey. Whatever they did to it, it was so friggin tasty. I dream about these brussels sprouts.

In the latest GQ issue, there is a Momofuku-inspired recipe for deelish brussel sprouts. The trick is to sautee them face down first in butter to get the carmelization and then throw them in the oven.

Also, bacon and sriracha.